After 15 years of preparation, the historical biopic Hudson & Maria (《戴德生與瑪利亞》) is set to begin filming in Malaysia this August, with a theatrical release targeted for late 2027. The film centers on the lives of British missionary James Hudson Taylor and his wife, Maria Jane Taylor, depicting how they crossed cultural barriers and braved immense dangers to bring the Gospel to the vast interior of 19th-century China—a nation then ravaged by war, disease, and social upheaval.
The film is co-produced by Half Crown Media and Burns & Co. Entertainment. Directed and written by Matt Mikalatos, the production will be executed by Burns & Co. Entertainment. The production team stated that the film is not merely a historical reenactment, but an intimate portrait of the characters' internal struggles with culture shock, faith, marriage, and their calling, aiming to inspire a new generation of believers.
Half Crown Media hosted promotional launch events in Hong Kong and Macau on June 25 and 27, introducing the film's preparation and filming progress to local Christian communities. During the events, Board Chair Dr. Jennie Fung Cheng (馮鄭珍妮) shared behind-the-scenes photographs, revealing that the core production team—comprising three families and 11 children—had already arrived in Malaysia in mid-June. They have since held preparatory meetings with the crew to discuss set designs, costuming, and props. Meanwhile, the cast is actively rehearsing the script and studying Mandarin as pre-production moves into full swing.
Hudson Taylor: Preaching the Gospel the Chinese Way
Set in mid-19th century Qing Dynasty China, the story unfolds at a time when Western missionary efforts were deeply bound to Western cultural norms. Hudson Taylor raised a groundbreaking question: Why must Chinese people adopt Western lifestyles to become Christians? To bridge the gap, he learned local dialects, donned Chinese attire, and wore a traditional queue (hair braid). He fully immersed himself in local life to share the Gospel in a way that resonated with the local population.
Taylor went on to found the China Inland Mission (now OMF International) and spent 54 years serving in China, earning him the legacy of "the father of modern missions." His pioneering cross-cultural mission strategies and his faith principle—"God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply"—have left an enduring mark on modern evangelical churches and the global missionary movement.
The biopic will also spotlight the partnership and marriage of Hudson and Maria, showcasing how they supported one another through hardships to fulfill their calling. The plot also highlights their deep friendship with Chinese coworker Wang Laijun (王來全), portraying how people of vastly different cultural backgrounds stood loyally together in the face of adversity.
Script Revised Seven Times to Maintain Historical Authenticity
Director and screenwriter Matt Mikalatos brings his own experience in student ministry in Asia, providing him with firsthand cross-cultural insights. The production team believes his background helps him vividly depict the culture shock and spiritual struggles Hudson Taylor encountered in China.
Half Crown Media hopes the film will transcend history, allowing audiences to see through the lives of the Taylors how "God uses ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things," ultimately leading them to the Gospel.
Dr. Jenny Fung Cheng noted that the script underwent seven revisions to accurately capture the personality and spirit of the historical figures. Rev. James H. Taylor IV, a fifth-generation descendant of Hudson Taylor, reviewed the script. Upon reading an earlier draft, he reportedly asked, "Who is this written about?" feeling he did not recognize his ancestor. However, after reading the final version, he gave his stamp of approval, saying, "Now I recognize Hudson Taylor."
Beyond church support, Half Crown Media plans to launch a series of companion ministries before and after the theatrical release. These initiatives aim to encourage viewers to respond to their faith, fostering a wave of evangelism, discipleship, and mission work that extends far beyond the theater walls.
The launch events invited guests from churches, seminaries, and Christian organizations to discuss how to utilize the medium of film to bless Hong Kong and Macau, holding follow-up gatherings to collaborate on future evangelistic outreach for the Lord.
